By Sahar Chmais 

BUDA – Buda is helping residents get back on track from the destruction left behind by winter storm Uri. The city is offering multiple recovery assistance programs. 

During the Tuesday Buda City Council meeting, council members passed several recovery assistance programs. The city has released information on these temporary resources, ranging from waiving late fees to food bank support, for how residents can use state and federal programs.

Single trade permit fees will be waived for repairs related to the storm and sub-freezing temperatures for 60 days. If a resident is making plumbing, electrical or irrigation repairs, it is important they apply for a permit. The permit fees will be waived for repair work only. 

This permit fee applies to: 

• Residential single trade inspections, which cost $75. 

OR

• Commercial single trade inspections which cost $150. 
• Online permitting fee, which costs $10. 
• Permit processing fee, which costs $10. 

To apply for a permit, visit www.ci.buda.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/6133. 

The city will also waive late utility fees and pause utility suspension for 60 days. 

The leak adjustment program, an existing program, will help residents prorate heightened water bills. If a resident had a water leak, there is an application to fill out so the city can adjust water use. To take advantage of the program, visit www.budatx.watersmart.com/Leak. 

Buda will also donate approximately $20,000 to local food banks and establish a contingency fund for additional relief. This comes after a four-day hot meal effort, Mission Buda Cares, hosted in the city of Buda but not funded by the city. 

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) are encouraging Texans to self-report a damage survey, which can be accessed at www.tdem.texas.gov/warming-center. This survey is to be done on a voluntary basis and will not replace reporting damage to an insurance agency. Additionally, it does not guarantee disaster relief assistance. 

For federal assistance, visit www.fema.gov/locations/texas.